Day in Pics: 12th December

US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Loretta Lynch, followed by Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement John Morton, right, arrives for a news conference, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

2/27

Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi speaks at a campaign rally for the upcoming Gujarat state assembly elections at Sanand in Gujarat.

3/27

A supporter of India`s ruling Congress party wears several scarfs depicting party symbol, the hand, at a campaign rally for the upcoming Gujarat state assembly elections at Sanand in Gujarat.

4/27

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, left, and French President Francois Hollande share a light moment during a bilateral signing ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

5/27

Filipino boxer and Congressman Manny Pacquiao waves to the crowd upon arrival in Manila, Philippines with his wife, Jinkee following his 6th round knockout loss to Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his live broadcast at the airport, Pacquiao assured fans "we will rise again."

6/27

A fight breaks out during an isolated incident of high tensions, at a rally held by the opposition New Patriotic Party to protest the results of last Friday`s presidential election, in Accra, Ghana.

7/27

This book cover image released by Grafton and Scratch Publishers shows "Twas the Night Before Christmas," by Clement C. Moore. This new version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" has eliminated all references to a smoking Santa.

8/27

First lady Michelle Obama is escorted by Staff Sgt. Joel Vazquez during her visit at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling to deliver toys and gifts to the Marine Corps` Toys for Tots campaign in Washington.

9/27

Venezuela`s Vice-President Nicolas Maduro, center, accompanied by other members of the cabinet, delivers a speech at the presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela.

10/27

North Korean employees at a restaurant watch TV broadcast in Pyongyang, North Korea.

11/27

Newly wed couples pose at a photo session during a mass wedding ceremony at the Hokkien Association building in Klang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

12/27

Twelve couples attend a mass wedding ceremony at the Peak in Hong Kong. At least 700 couples are expected to get married in the date 12/12/12, the last such triple-date in this year in Hong Kong as they believe the date will bring them everlasting love.

13/27

French singer Zaz (center) is surrounded by climbers and musicians after performing on the top of Mount Blanc in Switzerland.

14/27

South Korean protesters burn a mock rocket as police officers spray fire extinguishers during a rally denouncing North Korea`s rocket launch in Seoul.

15/27

Cambodian Buddhist monks line up before entering the Royal Palace to offer prayers to the late King Norodom Sihanouk, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Sihanouk`s body is scheduled to be cremated on Feb. 4, 2013. The former king died on Oct. 15, 2012, at the age of 89.

16/27

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta walks with Commanding General of U.S. Army Central Command Army Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks upon his arrival to speak to troops at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

17/27

A mother holds her baby, born on 12/12/12 at a hospital in Allahabad. The date 12/12/12, seen as auspicious by astrologers, saw an influx of mothers to local hospitals looking to give birth on the date which won`t happen again for nearly 100 years.

18/27

Nepalese devotees scatter seven types of grains during the Bala Chaturdasi festival at the Pashupatinath Temple in Katmandu.

19/27

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a state-of-the nation address in Moscow.

20/27

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul pose for cameras before their meeting in Ankara, Turkey.

21/27

This image provided by the West Virginia State Police shows a fireball erupting across Interstate 77 from a gas line explosion in Sissonville, W. Va. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon.

22/27

Newlywed couple Brandon Pereira and Emilia D`Silva pose after being married at a church in Mumbai. The couple were engaged on 10/10/10, registered a legal marriage on 11/11/11 and had their official ceremony on 12/12/12, a date seen as auspicious by many astrologers.

23/27

Brides and grooms wait for a mass wedding ceremony organized for the poor in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

24/27

Teachers and staff pay tribute to legendary Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar at the Bengali Tola Inter College where Shankar had studied in Varanasi. Shankar, who is credited with connecting the world to Indian music, died Tuesday in San Diego at the age of 92.

25/27

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi speaks during an election campaign rally for the upcoming Gujarat state assembly elections in Kheda, near Ahmadabad. The first phase of polling for the elections is scheduled to be held on Dec. 13.

26/27

Penguins look for fish placed around a Christmas tree during a media opportunity at London Zoo. The animals at ZSL London Zoo are set to enjoy a wild Christmas this year, with some very merry treats.

27/27

Students hold placards as they take an oath vowing to eliminate the practice of aborting female fetuses in Mumbai.